White House: President Obama tells FEMA to closely monitor Isaac

WASHINGTON — The White House says President Barack Obama has told the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate closely with officials in states and localities in the path of tropical storm Isaac.

Obama also has told the governor of Florida that federal officials are prepared to help ensure the safety of visitors to the Republican National Convention in Tampa.

Obama was briefed Sunday by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate (FYOO'-gayt) and Rick Knabb, director of the National Hurricane Center.

The White House said FEMA has already sent teams to Florida and Louisiana ahead of the storm to support state and local preparations. The agency is also consulting with officials in Alabama, Mississippi and other states that could be affected.

GOP officials have curtailed some convention events because of the storm.